Thread by @jmikola

Jmikola Reporting Live from @hobokenlibrary for the first #Hoboken council at-large debate hosted by the venerable @HeinisHardNews of @HudsonCoView.

15 candidates vying for 3 seats. The remaining seven candidates will appear on October 7. Opening with one minute intros from each candidate.

Murray (Russo slate) introduces himself as an immigration attorney and elected HOA board member (Sky Club IIRC).

Urtecho (Fisher slate) is a familiar face in Hoboken politics and is running on a number of initiates from parking to affordability.

Firestone (Jabbour slate) hails from Drew University. Concerned with families being priced out, public safety.

Gibbons (Ajmani) is a 20+ year resident. Experience in retail management (3k+ employees) and now runs a consulting firm. Cites leadership accountability.

Keeling (Russo) is a small business owner (Union City?) and wants to streamline inefficiencies for local small businesses.

Khemlani (Ajmani) is another Hoboken parent and has a focus on quality of life issues.

Miani (Ramos) has adult children now (products of Stevens Co-op). Previously ran for council in 2013. Parks were an issue then, now focused on public safety and infrastructure development.

Mello (Fisher) also an HOA board member. Helped introduce bike share and HOP, secure park developments. Appeals to voters as having no personal ambitions for office.

First question on state of the city budget. Urtecho says it’s a top issue. Council has voted for expenditures without considering the cost to voters. Demands prudence for budget decisions to avoid unnecessary tax hikes.

Firestone says the budget woes are a result of larger contracts (e.g. police). Repetitive arguments over budgeting calls for new blood on the council. Mayor should submit budget by Dec 31 each year.

Giddens also says the budget is a top issue for Ajmani. Needs transparency for contracts and RFPs. “Pay to play has to stop.” Optimize resources to build infrastructure with the talent we have.

Keeling says small businesses are a vital source of revenue for the city. The World Cup is coming and he’s heard no plan for the city to host related events to draw tourism into town.

Khemlani wants to ask why aren’t we meeting our budgets. We’re losing money due to PILOTs, which shouldn’t be needed to lure development. Concern over new developments going forward without considering stress on our infrastructure.

Miani says it shouldn’t take half a year to get the budget. PILOTs should be case by case, and may be needed for affordable housing or recreation development.

Mello says increases are unavoidable increases from salary/benefits. Hoboken has too many spokespeople. A pier is not a suitable location for a pool.

Murray cites lack of small businesses in SW Hoboken. Would like to lure in visitors from JC. Claims pier pool would be self-funded by admission costs for out of town guests.

Second question: what initiative to move forward and another to stop.

Firestone wants to advance garage B. We need more affordable housing stock. Says Jabbour’s allies have supported that. Hoboken’s redevelopment efforts are out of control. We’ve neglected a master plan.

Giddens wants a productive meeting structure and better decision-making frameworks. Wants to slow down and stop some development plans in the name of transparency. Examine who benefits (is it really residents?).

Keeling feels Hoboken Business Alliance has lost its way. We send $200k+ to NY businesses for its marketing. Create a local small business help desk.

Khemlani says good plans don’t get adequate follow through. E-bike enforcement never materialized. Execution isn’t there. Cites failure to enforce stop signs, large trucks.

Miani supports garage B and would seek to redevelop the entire block with 10-12 story buildings (no huge tower). Wants to stop camera-based ticketing on Washington.

Mello cites good projects from Zimmer that haven’t been derailed. Praises Rebuild By Design. Poor communication between the executive and legislative branches in city hall. Says the administration is not transparent enough. Demands thoughtful collaboration.

Murray wants to reinvent the HOP bus. Dedicate routes for parks, shopping, etc. Cut back on expenditures like garbage cans on every street corner.

Urtecho wants to prioritize water main replacement. Wants to stop lack of enforcement for e-bike ordinance. Enforce laws on the books.

Late breaking news: Hudson Regional Health acquired CarePoint earlier this year and now JC heights hospital (formerly Christ) is slated to be shut down. Heinis asks how candidates would advocate for the future of the hospital.

Giddens says residents need information and access to healthcare.

Keeling wants to help people (cites senior centers shut down due to heat). Reactions matter more than the situation itself. Improve communication to residents.

Khemlani says healthcare is a public need and if it can’t survive as a private enterprise the public should assist (noting possible expense).

Miani says our hospitals are indispensable.

Mello served to save the hospital once before. Pursue partnerships with other 🏥 networks.

Murray cited an example where an ambulance was stuck in traffic exiting SW Hoboken. We need a local hospital. It must be sustainable with quality care and limit outrageous billing practices.

Urtecho says our hospital is vital to Hudson County. We cannot put developer wants over resident needs (referring to in flight negotiations over its redevelopment?).

Firestone says redevelopment negotiations fell through when residents found out about 122 Clinton 10-story plans.

Heinis asks about hospital redevelopment zone (including adjoining properties).

Keeling says redevelopment is often used to prop up affordable housing but commercial real estate should go hand in hand. Dedicate affordable commercial spaces.

Khemlani asks if new development balances increased infrastructure and service needs. What are the developers doing to replace healthcare services, etc?

Miani alludes to residents being blindsided by the 122 Clinton plans. Re: and new development she would like to reexamine bus routes, sewer lines, and water mains for a growing population.

Mello says the hospital was fully in Hoboken’s jurisdiction so we should define our priorities. If our endgame is to preserve a hospital, start there and make any potential developer conform to our plan.

Murray says Hoboken needs a hospital, but questions whether it needs redevelopment. Once again expresses openness to PILOTs.

Urtecho says we likely cannot afford a new hospital without a redevelopment plan. Wants to review scope for appropriateness for residents (cites 122 Clinton residents and packed council meeting).

Firestone estimates our hospital has ten years of life remaining. The onus to find a solution will fall on those elected in November.

Giddens says we must determine what our infrastructure can sustain. Questions city’s capability to plan if we can’t deliver a timely budget. Wants more communication and transparency across the board.

Citing last year’s assault of a nanny in Church Square Park, Heinis asks if candidates would support PBA contracts for increased insurance and pension costs.

Khemlani says our costs are very high. We’ll carry this debt far into the future. Wants more police presence on streets.

Miani says police would benefit from affordable housing. Doesn’t want police to congregate in limited areas to ensure distribution of resources. Consider ideas for increased park lighting.

Mello objects to signing a contract that extends beyond the mayor’s term. Would tie contracts to cost of living increases. Wants increased community policing. Can’t have a hands off approach to policing in the interest of avoiding bad publicity.

Murray sees benefits to more camera coverage and alludes to Singapore’s model.

Urtecho says elected officials’ first responsibility is to keep residents safe. The long PBA contract is key to our future budget woes. Mistake to just throw headcount at problems; be more efficient.

Firestone says we want the best talent for public safety roles in Hoboken. Would have supported the contracts, but agrees with Mello about the length of contract. Disagrees that any officers would avoid enforcement for concerns over bad publicity.

Giddens wants more oversight of HPD and other city departments to improve efficiency.

Keeling says clean water is the biggest threat to public safety. We must be able to trust timely communication in a crisis. Delayed Nixle alerts are a problem.

Mello (responding to Firestone) says when he was serving on public safety committee, says some officers claimed they were accused of over-policing and that it influenced their behavior on the job.

Question on city cooperation with immigration enforcement (TRUST Act).

Mello says it a state vs. federal issue. Says the city need not go beyond the state. Would not allocate public money to do the fed’s job, but would also steer clear of national issues.

Miani says we should not go out of the way to protect criminals.

Murray says we should be concerned about a potential loss of federal funding.

Urtecho says HPD has neither resources nor expertise to support ICE. From a humanitarian POV believes residents don’t want to hunt down their neighbors.

Firestone agrees. Says Hoboken is a compassionate city and would like to see city hall codify that.

Giddens says our local government is nonpartisan. Says the mayor was irresponsible to get involved in a conflict with Bondi.

Keeling said in all his outreach no residents raised concerns over the TRUST Act. People more concerned over issues of putting food on the table, etc.

Khemlani says Hoboken would naturally provide a welcoming community and legislation should not be needed.

Murray clarifies that he’s running against the TRUST Act but, speaking as an immigration attorney, says there is a greater risk that should be monitored.

On affordability, Mello is most concerned about displacement of senior residents (vs. younger demo). Wants rent control laws enforced against the largest violators (corporate and investor landlords). Wants means testing for our limited supply of affordable housing.

Murray says more availability is key to guarantee affordable housing.

Urtecho says we should examine if 10% affordable housing allocation should be increased. Importance of protecting rent control. Also concerned about senior displacement due to rising property taxes.

Firestone says Cohen and Quintero were advocates for clamping down on rent control algorithms. We need more affordable housing stock. Negotiate more than 10% for new development, maybe by allowing more density on the non-affordable components.

Giddens says there’s no consistency in tracking inventory. Lack of oversight in existing policies. Personally experiencing rent control issues with an investor landlord. Housing is an essential need.

Keeling highlights commercial landlords and struggling small businesses. Three point plan: ordinance for vacant property registration, grants for new businesses, and overhaul HBA.

Khemlani wants to strengthen tenant right laws. Affordable housing critical to draw teachers, doctors, police, etc. to town. Wary of drawing in new residents who would only make Hoboken a pit stop (vs. settling and remaining in town?).

Miani wants means testing enforcement. Look into Airbnb and warehousing of properties commercial and residential. Notes corporate and small business retail are both closing in higher numbers.

Closing remarks.

Murray has 12 months on the Sky Club HOA as a dedicated servant. Parallels to serving on city council.

Urtecho will put residents first and guarantee transparency. Calling for a fresh start.

Firestone is not running as a politician or to seek higher office. Alludes to his mother (second female mayor of Princeton) as his inspiration.

Giddens says we have challenges with providing essential needs. Wants to improve quality of life. Pay it forward to community, teens.

Keeling says small business is inherently political. Running because he knows how much city hall impacts residents’ lives.

Khemlani wants to run the city more efficiently and responsibly. Says his slate would do best to bring that about.

Miani wants to preserve the ability for others to raise their families here as she has, and expresses desire to

Mello says Hoboken needs a service first attitude. Public safety, better management of city resources, replace focus on national politics with one for residents.

Heinis wraps up with a minute to spare as the candidates gather for a final group photo.

And while I was fervently typing away in the first row I see the live stream link finally showed up: facebook.com/hudsoncountyvi…